ISLAMABAD: A former federal minister has said that India can no longer block the water of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers after unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

The treaty, signed in 1960, divided the waters of the six rivers of the Indus Basin between them, with India receiving the three eastern rivers (the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej).

Mean­while, Pakistan obtained control of the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).

Muhammad Ali Durrani, who served as information minister in Gen Pervez Musharraf’s cabinet, emphasised that rights to the three eastern rivers were granted to India under the IWT.

With the treaty now suspended, India has no legal claim over their waters, he added.

He urged the government to take steps to reclaim the water from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas rivers.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2025